We show that dithioester and trithiocarbonate compounds, used as chain transfer agents in reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, form monolayers on gold. We evidence that the ... [more ▼]

We show that dithioester and trithiocarbonate compounds, used as chain transfer agents in reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, form monolayers on gold. We evidence that the monolayers are slightly less dense than those formed by long alkanethiols on gold, but show a surface coverage that is close to the one obtained for short alkanethiols. Since the grafting density of polymer brushes is limited by the steric hindrance which inhibits the diffusion of large free polymer chains to opensurface reactive sites, the relatively high grafting density of dithioesters and trithiocarbonates anchoring groups is not expected to limit the density of the brushes [less ▲]

The diuretic effects of torasemide and of furosemide were compared in a double blind cross-over study in 13 patients with stable chronic heart failure. Single doses of 10 mg and 20 mg of torasemide and of ... [more ▼]

The diuretic effects of torasemide and of furosemide were compared in a double blind cross-over study in 13 patients with stable chronic heart failure. Single doses of 10 mg and 20 mg of torasemide and of 40 mg of furosemide were given orally, in a randomized order on 3 consecutive days. In addition, a placebo was administered on the day preceding the 3 active drug treatment days to obtain control data. Each experimental day was divided into three urine collection periods - 0 to 4 h, 4 to 12 h and 12 to 24 h. Urine output, ion excretion and clearance were measured during each of the 3 periods as well as for the 24-h period. Torasemide 20 mg was distinctly more active in each of the 3 collection periods and in the 24-h period than furosemide 40 mg, whereas no significant difference was found between furosemide 40 mg and torasemide 10 mg for most of the experimental data. From 0 to 4 h, both torasemide and furosemide significantly increased the urinary flow rate and the urinary excretion of sodium, chloride and calcium, while they decreased the urinary osmolality when compared to placebo. All the effects persisted in the 4 to 12 h period after torasemide 20 mg in contrast to furosemide, whose effects were limited to the 0 to 4 h period. In the third period (12-24 h), the urine volume fell below the placebo value after furosemide but not torasemide, and only torasemide 20 mg was followed by a persistent decrease in the urine osmolality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) [less ▲]

Turbulent CO2 exchanges over a degraded woodland were measured during 17 months (from November 2005 to March 2007) by an eddy-covariance system at Nangatchori in the northern part of Benin, West Africa ... [more ▼]

Turbulent CO2 exchanges over a degraded woodland were measured during 17 months (from November 2005 to March 2007) by an eddy-covariance system at Nangatchori in the northern part of Benin, West Africa. The site (Lat 9.65°N, Long 1.74°E, Alt: 432 m), under a Sudanian climate, is one of the sites that were equipped in the framework of the international AMMA-CATH program. The site was highly disturbed during preceding years by illegal tree logging, agricultural activities, cattle pasture, and bushfire. The footprint area is mainly formed by herbs and crops with some sparse shrubs and trees. Fluxes data were completed during the same period by meteorological measurements made at the Nalohou site located approximately 20 km from Nangatchori, and by an inventory of dominating species on 1km2 area around the tower during the wet season. Fluxes response to climatic variables was analyzed. The annual drought and moisture cycle was found to be the main controlling factor of the ecosystem dynamics. A very clear response of CO2 fluxes to PPFD appears, but is different according to seasons. During wet season, CO2 uptake increases with increasing PPFD following a typical curvilinear function and saturates for high PPFD (PPFD > 1000 µmol m-2 s-1), while during dry season, a very weak linear response of CO2 fluxes was observed. No clear dependency of the total ecosystem respiration on temperature was observed. At an annual scale (from November 1st 2005 to October 31st 2006), net carbon sequestered by the ecosystem was 18 +- 5 g C m-2. Finally, with respect to the water use the ecosystem appeared to be more efficient during morning and wet season than during afternoon and dry period. [less ▲]

Diurnal and seasonal patterns in the behaviour of a small population of bottlenose dolphins were assessed in Bahía San Antonio (BSA), Patagonia, Argentina, between 2006 and 2011. Results indicated that ... [more ▼]

Diurnal and seasonal patterns in the behaviour of a small population of bottlenose dolphins were assessed in Bahía San Antonio (BSA), Patagonia, Argentina, between 2006 and 2011. Results indicated that dolphins used the study area mainly to rest, travel, and forage, with a marked diurnal and seasonal pattern in their activity. During the early morning, most dolphin groups were resting, while towards the afternoon and evening, surface feeding and social activities peaked. During winter, social activities and surface feeding increased notably; during summer, diving behaviour reached its peak, presumably associated with a tail-out/peduncle-dive foraging strategy. The observed seasonal variation in foraging strategies is hypothesised to be related to the seasonal behavioural changes of prey species in the area that are linked to spawning. The variation in group size further appears to reflect the regulation of feeding competition while reconfirming the low predation risk within the study area. Results of this study indicate the behavioural and social flexibility of bottlenose dolphins in BSA and suggest a link to the seasonal variations in prey availability. Considering the general bottlenose dolphin population declines in Argentina presumably related to prey depletion, it could be argued that the temporal occurrence of spawning shoals and a general low presence of other top predators directly and indirectly make this a favourable area for this population. Additional information is required to more comprehensively address this hypothesis. The information presented herein serves as vital baseline data for future conservation management protocols. [less ▲]

Previous studies have shown that certain specific leaf mRNAs exhibit a diurnal rhythmicity in their quantity in higher plants. To determine whether this situation is restricted to a few mRNAs, or affects ... [more ▼]

Previous studies have shown that certain specific leaf mRNAs exhibit a diurnal rhythmicity in their quantity in higher plants. To determine whether this situation is restricted to a few mRNAs, or affects a large number, we have used in vitro translation and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to analyze the mRNA complement in leaves of Sinapis alba at different times during an 8-hour/16-hour day/night cycle. A method for the visual analysis of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was also developed. This method selected, at each sampling time, spots that were significant. It then selected, between two sampling times, intensity changes that were significant at the 0.02 confidence level. During a day/night cycle, complex rhythmic changes affected about 10% of the mRNAs. Nineteen different rhythm patterns were found. These 19 patterns fell into four main classes: mRNAs that increase during the light period and decrease during the dark, mRNAs that increase and then decrease during the light period, mRNAs that decrease during the light period and increase during the dark period, and mRNAs that increase and then decrease during the dark period. [less ▲]

A data base of parameters important to understanding the diurnal variation of odd-nitrogen and ions in the thermosphere near equinox, at low latitudes, and for quiet geomagnetic conditions is presented ... [more ▼]

A data base of parameters important to understanding the diurnal variation of odd-nitrogen and ions in the thermosphere near equinox, at low latitudes, and for quiet geomagnetic conditions is presented. The data base includes profiles of the odd-nitrogen species NO and N(D-2), the ions NO(+), O2(+), O(+), N2(+), and N(+); the total ion density; O and N2; and the neutral, ion, and electron temperatures. The measured time-dependent variations of NO, N(D-2), O2(+), and NO(+) compare favorably to the results of a time-dependent, photochemical, diffusion model for odd-nitrogen and ion chemistry. In particular, the model reproduces the rapid increase in NO density in the morning hours, the midafternoon maximum, and the late afternoon decrease. The model also reproduces the measured absolute densities for NO to within 20 percent over most of the diurnal cycle but falls below the measured density by as much as a factor of two in the late afternoon. [less ▲]